Professor Wellington Oyibo, director of the Centre for Transdisciplinary Research in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (CTRMNTD), has called for a unified national movement to eliminate malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria. He lamented Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported malaria commodities, despite the country’s large population and capacity to produce local alternatives such as insecticide-treated nets, diagnostics, and medicines, which could also generate employment opportunities.
Describing malaria and NTDs as “diseases of poverty,” Prof. Oyibo emphasised that these illnesses persist due to poor environmental conditions, limited resources, and widespread misinformation. He urged those at the helm of affairs in the health sector to leverage effective local alternatives in combating the endemic disease.
“It’s a shame that with our population, Nigeria is not yet manufacturing key anti-malaria commodities,” he said. “If we invested in local production of nets, diagnostics, and medicines, we would create jobs and strengthen our health system.”
The Professor and Consultant Medical Parasitologist, at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, gave this charge at a virtual briefing with the Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) at the weekend.
Nigeria bears the heaviest malaria burden globally, accounting for approximately 27 percent of all malaria cases and 31 percent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2021–2022, with 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths in 2021 alone, as disclosed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics.
The global health agency explained reason for the high prevalence of the condition in the country, noting that 97 percent of the Nigerian population lives in areas where malaria transmission is possible year-round.
Oyibo averred that CTRMNTD adopts a unique multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary model – engaging not only scientists, but also engineers, economists, and even literary experts – to tackle malaria and NTDs from all fronts. He stressed the importance of addressing behavioural myths and knowledge gaps that hinder prevention and treatment.
One of the centre’s key interventions, he noted, is promoting testing before treatment, especially with the growing availability of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). “Many people still treat malaria presumptively, but the disease’s distribution has changed significantly. What worked in the 1960s can no longer apply,” he said.
The neglected tropical diseases specialist expressed concern about low coverage of proven interventions, noting that real change will only occur when at least 90 percent of the population consistently adopts preventive measures. “Partial adoption won’t shift the burden. We need critical mass.”
He also drew attention to the hidden toll of neglected tropical diseases on women, particularly female genital schistosomiasis, which contributes to infertility, stillbirths, and other reproductive challenges. “Is it a crime to be a woman in Africa?” he asked rhetorically. “Women suffer disease exposure just by growing up in vulnerable environments.”
The centre is currently leading research comparing the effectiveness of RDTs and microscopy in malaria diagnosis, while also examining healthcare providers’ attitudes toward diagnostic testing. The goal is to better understand why presumptive treatment remains common and to drive a shift toward evidence-based care.
Prof. Oyibo stressed that eliminating malaria requires partnerships across all sectors – health, media, agriculture, and more – with strong community participation. He referenced agricultural irrigation and rural water practices as major contributors to malaria persistence in the North and rural areas.
In closing, he called on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility: “If every household starts by sleeping under nets, screening their windows, and asking ‘what can I do?’ we will begin to defeat malaria.”
The HEWAN Outgoing President, Mrs Chioma Obinna, pledged the association’s continued support in amplifying CTRMNTD’s public health messages. She highlighted the importance of ongoing training and collaboration to ensure accurate health information reaches the public.
